Preanthesis changes in freeze resistance, relative water content, and ovary growth preempt bud phenology and signify dormancy release of sour cherry floral buds

Growing degree hours (GDH) predicted floral bud development of 'Montmorency' sour cherry and explained changes in lethal temperatures (LT₅₀) that preempted any visible changes in bud phenology. The gradual warming during late winter and early spring promotes floral bud development and, concomitantly, the de-acclimation of Prunus sp. flowers. In fact, once ecodormancy releases, an approximate 20 °C loss of hardiness occurs prior to any distinguishable changes in external bud phenology. The aim of the following work was to characterize the physiological changes of 'Montmorency' sour cherry floral buds as they transition from endo- and ecodormancy and resume growth, and to determine whether physiological and anatomical characteristics within the buds preempt or signify dormancy release to enable a better prediction of freeze susceptibility. Here, we present a developmental timeline of the preanthesis changes of 'Montmorency' floral buds, ovaries and anthers over 2 years following their completion of chilling and relate these changes to growing degree hours (GDH) and the lethal temperature (LT₅₀) of flowers. Changes in bud dry weight (DW), fresh weight (FW), volume, and external phenology stage including the percentage of green color development of bud scales were predicted by heat accumulation but were not early predictors of the increasing freeze susceptibility of pistils. Between endodormancy and green tip stage, ovary volume increased nearly threefold and relative water content (RWC) increased from ~ 45 to 70% in both years. A linear mixed regression model indicated that RWC and the interaction between RWC and ovary growth were significant predictors of LT₅₀. Importantly, the loss of ~ 20 °C of freeze resistance occurred between 45 and 57% RWC and preceded any detectable changes in bud phenology. Microsporogenesis was observed after dormancy release when measurable changes in the ovary and bud RWC had already occurred. A GDH model estimated freeze sensitivity of pistils and explained 93% of the variation in LT₅₀ during preanthesis development. A simple GDH model to predict critical freeze temperature of pistils should aid producers to manage frost protection.

There is more to flowering than those DAM genes: the biology behind bloom in rosaceous fruit trees

The regulation of bloom time in deciduous fruit trees is an area of increasing interest due to the negative impact of climate change on fruit production. Although flower development has been well-studied in model species, there are many knowledge gaps about this process in perennial fruit trees, whose floral development spans the four seasons and includes many temperature-driven transitions. To develop solutions for minimizing crop loss, a comprehensive research strategy is needed to understand flower development and bloom time in deciduous fruit trees. This approach must incorporate genetic, physiological, and phenological strategies which include morphological and molecular analyses. Here, we describe key floral development events for rosaceae family fruit trees, highlight recent molecular and genetic discoveries, and discuss future directions for this field.